Bituminous compositions prepared by blowing blends of bitumen, aromatic extract and ept rubber

ABSTRACT

The penetration/temperature properties of a bitumen are improved by adding a solvent such as an aromatic extract and a rubber formed from ethylene, propylene and third ethylenic compound (e.g., cyclopentadiene dimer). Sulphur and/or polyolefine (polyethylene) may also be added.

[22] Filed:

United States Patent 1191 Behling et a1.

[ 1 BITUMINOUS COMPOSITIONS PREPARED BY BLOWING BLENDS OF BITUMEN, AROMATIC EXTRACT AND EPT RUBBER [75] Inventors: Rolf-Dieter Behling; Manfred Oelsner, both of Hamburg; Gunther Zenke, Halstenbek, all of Germany [73] Assignee: The British Petroleum Company Limited, London, England Sept. 10, 1970 21 Appl. No.: 71,196

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Dec. 10, 1974 2,909,498 10/1959 Sayko 260/285 AS 2,947,697 8/1960 Vierk et al 260/285 AS 2,996,467 8/1961 Hawley et al. 260/28.5 B 3,379,662 4/1968 Bramble et a1. 260/285 AS 3,459,695 8/1969 Hedge 6! a1 260/28.5 AS 3,637,558 1/1972 Verdol et 31.. 260/285 AS 3,669,918 6/1972 Raley, Jr 260/285 AS OTHER PUBLICATIONS Nordel Dupont Development Report No. 20, May, 1963, pages 1 and 14 relied upon.

Asphalts and Allied Substances, Abraham, 5th Ed., D.

1 Van Nostrand Co., Inc., 492, 493 relied upon.

Primary ExaminerMorris Liebman Assistant Examiner-S. L. Fox

[57] ABSTRACT The penetration/temperature properties of a bitumen are improved by adding a solvent such as an aromatic extract and a rubber formed from ethylene, propylene and third ethyleniccompound (e.g., cyclopentadiene dimer). Sulphur and/or polyolefine (polyethylene) may also be, added. I

10 Claims, No Drawings This invention relates to a method of preparing a bituminous composition and in particular to a bituminous composition suitable for use as a roof surfacing material. It is known to use rubber/bitumen mixtures as roof surfacing materials and the ideal properties for this purpose are:

a. High softening point so that the composition does not melt" in summer.

b. Low Fraass point (i.e. temperature at which the composition becomes brittle) so that the composition does not crack in winter, and

c. No tendency to flow down the roof, e.g. to create ridges.

The invention relates to a process for making a product which has a good performance in respect of the above properties.

According to the invention a bituminous composition, suitable for use as a roof surfacing material, is prepared by blowing a gas which contains elemental oxygen, e.g. air, through a mixture of a bituminous substance, a rubber and a flux oil for extending the rubber. The reaction is conveniently carried out at a temperature within the usual range, i.e. 150C 300C.

The terms bituminous composition, bituminous substance and bitumen, as used in this specification, shall be understood to have the meaning asphaltic composition, asphaltic substance and asphalt, respectively, in accordance with the definition ASTM- D8-55 established for asphalt by the American Society for Testing Materials.

The rubbers which can be used in the invention are those which do not degrade during the reaction, e.g. copolymers of mono-olefines such as ethylene and propylene and cyclic hydrocarbons with an endocyclic bridge and at least 2 olefinic double bonds such as dicyclopentadiene. The feedstock for blowing preferably contains 2 25% wt., e.g. 15% wt., of the rubber.

The flux oils which are particularly suitable for use in the invention are high boiling aromatic/naphthenic hydrocarbon mixtures such as the aromatic extracts obtained during the refining of lubricating oils, e. g., furfural extracts. The feedstock for blowing preferably contains l0 75% wt. of the flux oil.

Preferably the blowing is carried out in two stages. The first stage (initial blowing) is carried out at 220- 230C and the second stage is carried out at 250C. The initial blowing is particularly advisable if the bituminous substance tends to oxidise rapidly. In this case the blowing reaction could form high molecular weight oxidation products which are insoluble in the final product and therefore precipitation and separation could occur.

According to a further feature of the invention sulphur and/or polyolefines may be incorporated in the mixture. These give further improvements in the elasticity and homogeneity and they may also reduce the amount of blowing needed.

When a polyolefine, e.g. low pressure polyethylene or low pressure polypropylene, is used without sulphur it is most suitably added about 1 hour before the blowing is completed. The final hours blowing disperses the polyolefine in the mixture. Suitable concentrations for the polyolefine are 1 3% wt. based on the tota (blown) mixture.

When sulphur is used without the polyolefine it may be added before during or after the blowing. suitable concentrations of the sulphur are l 4 parts by weight of sulphur to parts by weight of the rubber.

When both sulphur and polyolefine are used as described above it is most convenient to add the polyolefine before the sulphur. Thus the polyolefine is conveniently added at the begining of the reaction, the blowing is maintained until the polyolefine is dispersed and then the sulphur is added.

The products of the invention have good elastic properties and even when they are stored hot little or no separation of the components takes place. In many cases the products are used in conjunction with mineral fillers and the good properties, including a lack of separation is maintained even in the presence of mineral fillers.

The bituminous compositions produced according to the invention are particularly suitable for use as elastic joining compounds, pipe wrapping compounds and pipe spinning compounds, for the production of coating, insulating agents for the electrical engineering industry, for the production of elastic roofing felts and water-proofing felts as well as for heat and sound insulation. v

The preparation of several mixtures according to the invention will now be described by way of example. In all of these examples the bitumen was a distillation residue from crude petroleum according to DIN 1995. The flux was a medium aromatic extract obtained by furfural refining of a lubricating oil and the rubber was a copolymer of ethylene, propylene and dicyclopentadiene.

In all cases the flux was incorporated in the rubber by pugging at about 100C and this mixture was added to the (molten) bitumen in the blowing apparatus.

Table I gives composition of the feedstock, blowing conditions and inspection data on the product for 3 examples. It also includes comparative data on two unblowncommercial bitumens x and y.

As the figures for Examples 1 to 3 of Table 1 show, the mixtures produced according to the invention have higher softening points and lower breaking points than those known from German Published Patent Application 1,470,744, in which ball and ring softeningpoints of 50 to 60C and breaking points of 18 to 25C are quoted.

If one compares the particular temperature ranges between liquefaction (on the basis of the ball and ring softening point) and becoming brittle (on the basis of the Fraass breaking point) of the examples of Table l and the examples from DOS l,470,744, one can see that in the case of the products according to the invention these have been made considerably wider both as compared with the usual commercial blow bitumen and also as compared with the products according to the DOS.

Table 2 illustrates the addition of polyethylene to compositions produced according to the invention. This addition was made l hour before the end of blowing so that the final blowing disperses the polyethylene. Table 2 shows that the addition of polyethylene raises the softening point and lowers the penetration without raising the very low Fraass point.

Table 3 illustrates the addition of sulphur alone as well as sulphur and polyethylene mixtures. In example lb (sulphur only) the sulphur was added at the start of the blowing. In the case of examples 1c and 2 (sulphur the horizontal and maintaining it at 80C. The flow distance was measured after 5 hours and 24 hours.

As well as tests on the products tests were also carried out on the product filled with powdered limestone.

Table 4 gives the test results and it includes test results on two bitumens for comparison. As well as showing the good properties of materials prepared according to the invention Table 4 also shows the beneficial ried out by placing a sample on a glass sheet at 45 to effect of polyethylene on the flow properties.

TABLE 1 lNvENTlON COMPARISON Example 1 2 3 X Y Feedstock ubber 7: by wt. 12.5 12.5 10.0 Commercial Commercia Fl x 7: by wt. 37.5 37.5 40.0 bitumen bitumen Bitumen 7% by wt. 50.0 50.0 50.0 85125 105115 100.0 100.0 100.0 Blowin lemperature. C 250 250 250 Time, hrs. 13 7 PIOFEFUES of Product 0 emng point. all & ring. C 92 72 101 84 104 Penetration, mm/ 1 O 67 90 44 22 17 Fraass breakin point. C below 40 below 40 -4() l7 1() Penetration in ex +6.6 +4.9 +6.2 +2.8 +4.6 Temperature range between the softening point and the "C 132 1 12 141 101 l 14 Fraas point TABLE 2 Example la 1b 2a 2b Feedstock u er %by wt. 1O l0 l0 l0 Flux by wt. 40 40 40 Bitumen of wt. 50 50 50 100 100 100 100 Polyethylene gbased on blown product) wt. 1 l B owin lotal time hrs. 18 19 14 15 Initial at 220C hrs. 5 5 5 5 Final at 250C hrs. 13 14 9 l0 Softening point, ball & ring, "C 91 105 74 103 Penetration, mm! 10 40 70 Fraass breakin point, C below 40 below -40 below -40 below -40 Penetration in ex +6.4 +6.5 +5.3 +7. Temperature range between the softening point and the Fraas point C 131 145 1 14 143 TABLE 3 Example 121 lb 1c 2 Feedstock u or 7: by wt. 10 1O 10 5 Flux 7:- by wt. 40 40 40 45 Bitumen "71 by wt. 50 50 50 50 100 100 100 Polyethylene addition (based on blown product) wt. 1 2 Sulphur (parts by wt.) to 100 parts by wt, rubber l l 4 Blowin lotal time hrs. 5 5 5 6 lnitial at 220C hrs. 5 5 5 6 uz.l/64 Final at 250C hrs. Pro erties of roduct Sol'iemng point. Ball 3E ring, C 61 70 103 87 Penetration, mm/ 1 O 185 125 107 161 Fraass breakin point. C below -40 below 40 below 40 33 Penetration in ex +5.8 +5.8 +9.3 +8.7 Temperature range between the softening point and the Fraas point "C 101 1 10 143 TABLE 4 INVENTION BlTUMEN Feedstock (Comparison) Rubber wt. 10 10 10 Commercial Flux wt. 40 30 40 Grades Bitumen wt. 50 60 50 Sulphur 2 2 0.5 (Parts per 100 parts rubber) Polyethylene wt. l 2 0 l 2 0 1 2 80/100 100/125 Results 1 ofiemng Point "C 61 86 94 67 97 109 100 112 118 85 100 Pg r igtration at mm/ 10 125 98 92 100 83 72 65 51 49 25 25 Flow Length h (mm at 80C) 200 59 13 170 18 4 43 5 2 l 15 15 do. 24h 86 19 200 32 ll 81 6 201 30 Limestone filler .do. 5h 30% 200 40 -10 I09 5 19 -1 -l 90 16 do. 24h 30% 57 -10 186 26 -7 69 -6 -l 164 27 do. 5h 50% 161 10 -1 l8 -1 -1 2 -1 -l 70 5 do. 24h 50% 200 23 -1 88 -5 -l 12 -l -l 120 13 We claim:

1. A method of preparing an asphaltic composition suitable for use as a roof surfacing material, which comprises 1. forming a mixture of:

23-85% wt, based on the total mixture, of an asphalt which is a distillation residue derived from crude petroleum,

2-25 wt, based on the total mixture, of a rubber which is a copolymer of (a) monolefines and (b) cyclic hydrocarbons with an endocyclic bridge and at least two olefinic double bonds, l0-75% wt, based on the total mixture, of a flux oil which is an aromatic extract for extending the rubber,

' 0-4 parts by weight sulphur per 100 of the rubber, and

' 0-3% wt, based on the total mixture, of a polyolefine selected from the group consisting of polyethylene and polypropylene, and

2. blowing the mixture with a gas which contains elemental exygen, at a temperature of 150 300C.

2. A method according to claim 1, in which the rubber is a copolymer of (a) mono-olefines and (b) dicyclopentadiene.

3. A method according to claim 2, in which the rubber is a copolymer of ethylene, propylene and dicyclopentadiene.

4. A method according to claim 1, in which the blowing-is carried out in two stages, the first stage being carried out at 220- 230C and the second at 250C.

5. A method according to claim 1, in which the blowing gas is air.

6. A method of preparing an asphaltic composition, suitable for use as a roof surfacing material, which comprises 1. forming a mixture of:

85-10% wt., based on the total mixture, of an asphalt which is a distillation residue derived from crude petroleum,

parts by weight 5-15% wt., based on the total mixture, of a rubber 10-75% wt., based on the total mixture, of an aromatic extract, and

2. blowing the mixture with air at a temperature of 7. A method according to claim 6, in which the blowing is carried out in two stages, the first stage being carried out at 220 230C'and the second at 250C.

8. A method of preparing an asphaltic composition, suitable for use as a roof surfacing material, which comprises (l) forming a mixture of:

-10% wt., based on the total mixture, of an asphalt which is a distillation residue derived from crude petroleum,

5-l5% wt., based on the total mixture, of a rubber which is a copolymer of ethylene, propylene and dicyclopentadiene, lO-75% wt., based on the total mixture, of an aromatic extract, and l-4 parts by weight sulphur per parts by weight of the rubber, and (2) blowing the mixture with air at a temperature of 9. A method according to claim 8, in which the blowing is carried out in two stages, the first stage being carried out at 220 230C and the second at 250C.

10. A method of preparing an asphaltic composition, suitable for use as a roof surfacing material, which comprises l. forming a mixture of:

85-10% wt., based on the total mixture, of an as phalt which is a distillation residue derived from a crude petroleum, I

5-1 5% wt., based on the total mixture, of a rubber which is a co-polymer of ethylene, propylene and dicyclopentadiene,

l0 72% wt., based on the total mixture, of an aromatic extract,

1 3% wt. of low pressure polyethylene or polypropylene, and

2. blowing the mixture with air at a temperature of UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE QER'HMQATE 0F CQRREC'HQN PATENT No. 3,853,799

DATED December 10, 1974 INVENTOMS) Rolf-Dieter Behling, Manfred Oelsner, Gunther Zenke it is certified that am; apps ms in The above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby correcied as Sl'lOWH below:

Column 1, line 18 "The" should be -This Column 2, line 20 "joining" should be --jointing-- Column 5, line 28 "monolefines" should be --mono-olefins Column 5, line 40 "exygen" should be "oxygen-- gigned and fizzled this f f Day of August1975 [SEAL] Arrest:

RUTH C. MASON Allvsting ()jfiver C. MARSHALL DANN ('ummissimu'r uflalenls and Trademarks 

1. A METHOD OF PREPARING AN ASPHALTIC COMPOSITION SUITABLE FOR USE AS A ROOF SURFACING MATERIAL, WHICH COMPRISES 1 FORMING A MIXTURE OF: 23-85% WT. BASED ON THE TOTAL MIXTURE, OF AN ASPHALT WHICH IS A DISTILLATION RESIDUE DERIVED FROM CRUDE PETROLEUM, 2-25% WT, BASED ON THE TOTAL MIXTURE, OF A RUBBER WHICH IS A COPOLYMER OF (A) MONOLEFINES AND (B) CYCLIC HYDROCARBONS WITH AN ENDOCYCLIC BRIDGE AND AT LEAST TWO OLEFINIC DOUBLE BONDS 10-75% WT, BASED ON THE TOTAL MIXTURE, OF A FLUX OIL WHICH IS AN AROMATIC EXTRACT FOR EXTENDING THE RUBBER, 0-4 PARTS BY WEIGHT SULPHUR PER 100 PARTS BY WEIGHT OF THE RUBBER, AND 0-3% WT, BASED ON THE TOTAL MIXTURE, OF A POLYOLEFINE SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF POLYETHYLENE AND POLYPROPYLENE, AND
 2. A method according to claim 1, in which the rubber is a copolymer of (a) mono-olefines and (b) dicyclopentadiene.
 2. blowing the mixture with a gas which contains elemental exygen, at a temperature of 150* - 300*C.
 2. BLOWING THE MIXTURE WITH A GAS WHICH CONTAINS ELEMENTAL OXYGEN, AT A TEMPERATURE OF 150* - 300*C.
 2. blowing the mixture with air at a temperature of 220* -230*C.
 2. blowing the mixture with air at a temperature of 150* -300*C.
 3. A method according to claim 2, in which the rubber is a copolymer of ethylene, propylene and dicyclopentadiene.
 4. A method according to claim 1, in which the blowing is carried out in two stages, the first stage being carried out at 220*- 230*C and the second at 250*C.
 5. A method according to claim 1, in which the blowing gas is air.
 6. A method of preparing an asphaltic composition, suitable for use as a roof surfacing material, which comprises
 7. A methoD according to claim 6, in which the blowing is carried out in two stages, the first stage being carried out at 220 - 230*C and the second at 250*C.
 8. A method of preparing an asphaltic composition, suitable for use as a roof surfacing material, which comprises (1) forming a mixture of: 85-10% wt., based on the total mixture, of an asphalt which is a distillation residue derived from crude petroleum, 5-15% wt., based on the total mixture, of a rubber which is a copolymer of ethylene, propylene and dicyclopentadiene, 10-75% wt., based on the total mixture, of an aromatic extract, and 1-4 parts by weight sulphur per 100 parts by weight of the rubber, and (2) blowing the mixture with air at a temperature of 150* -300*C.
 9. A method according to claim 8, in which the blowing is carried out in two stages, the first stage being carried out at 220* - 230*C and the second at 250*C.
 10. A method of preparing an asphaltic composition, suitable for use as a roof surfacing material, which comprises 